My "Can't Sleep Remedy" - How I Get Myself Ready for Bed

by Tammy
(Eugene, OR)

Sleep is Vitally Important!

When getting ready for a night's sleep, I start about 1 hour before bed, take a hot bath, then towel off and put on extremely loose clothing. I stretch for about 10 minutes and then put on a tv show that I have seen a thousand times and pretty much know by heart.

I have a DVR and normally it is a Family Guy or Futurama, you could do the same thing with a tape or DVD. I then sip tension tamer tea in bed, while I watch the show; I usually take very small sips so that my bladder does not wake me at 2 am.

This routine gives me a sense of comfort and familiarity. Usually about 20 minutes into my television show I fall asleep. One of the best things that I figured out was that I needed to set the sleep timer on my television for 30 minutes past the normal time I fall asleep.

I do this in order to ensure that I am not awakened in the middle of the night by a loud cartoon or some sort of static noise. For a DVD you could risk being woken up grouchy from the repetitive title screen music.

Tension tamer tea is a tea heavy in chamomile. Another great tip for those really hard to rest nights is to go for a walk before the hot bath. Then the body is tired and the mind gets a chance to clear.

Melatonin is a popular supplement but it often gives me odd dreams. I really recommend getting into a familiar routine that gets your mind calm because you know exactly what is going to happen next, every single night. Consistency is extremely important.

Restful Sleep With Just a Spoonful of Sugar!

by Erin
(Walnut Creek, CA)

This may sound like an odd way to fall asleep, but I find it peaceful and calming.

My trick is to warm a cup of milk, classic I know, and then add a spoonful of honey. Stir until it dissolves completely and what you have is a sweet, easy-to-make relaxant that always calms my mind enough for me to cozy under my sheets.